First aid strips

ABSTRACT

The disclosed First Aid Strips are a cost effective and economical method for treating any systemic illness or topical skin condition such as boil, bruise, or burn, using first aid strips, by providing a pouch which provides a means to use medication in the form of cream or gel. The provision of a pouch prevents medication from escaping when applied on the body with an adhesive first aid strip. Thus a measured amount of any medication when applied stays where it is applied and not lost. A ring made of rubber/latex may be used to create the said pouch, when placed on the first aid strip.

CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, pendingU.S. non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 09/924,075 filed on 8Aug. 2001, and such reference is hereby incorporated by this referencefor all purposes and for all that it discloses.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to first aid strips.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A first aid strip known in the art comprises a strip of sterile, nonadherent gauze pad, to one side of which is attached a strip of adhesivetape. The adhesive tape is used to fix the gauze pad over the wound onthe skin of a patient. The drawback of this known art is that if somemedicine in the form of, gel, ointment, cream, is applied to the skinand the first aid strip is applied over the skin, the medicine squishesout/oozes out. As a result very little to no medicine is left behindover the skin wound. Further, if there is some localized swelling orbulge, associated with the wound or skin condition, such as due to adeep cut, or when there is a wart or a raised mole over the skin, themedicine oozes out even more.

PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,643 issued to Greer discloses a bandage comprising aflexible body having a central opening, a water repellant layeroverlying said body and a removable cover attached to the waterrepellant layer.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,243 issued Frank et al. relates to a dressingcomprising a base plate having a through hole, a wound pad inserted insaid hole, and means for attaching, the pad in the hole.

The bandage disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,763 issued to Hathmancomprises a soft-pad frame having an opening and fixed to an adhesivetape having a registering hole, a pad frame having a registering holeand secured to the soft pad frame, said pad being made of a fabricadapted to a micro hook material, a gauze pad fitted in said openings,and a removable flap having micro hook material detachably secured tothe pad frame and gauze pad.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,356 issued to Hathman relates to a dressingcomprising an adhesive strip base member having an aperture, a steppedstandoff member interposed between the base member and a sealing covermember, and fitting into a first stepped member of the standoff memberand in abutment registry with a second stepped member of the standoffmember, means for securing the sealing cover member to the base member,and means of closing the sealing cover member to the base member.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,773 issued to Freeman discloses a dressingcomprising an occlusive layer having an edge portion and a hydro-colloidcontaining polymeric support layer overlying said edge portion

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects and advantages of the invention will now be setforth in the following description, while other objects and advantagesof the invention may be obvious from the description, or may be learnedthrough practice of the invention.

The dressings of prior art appear to be complicated to manufacture.There is a necessity for a dressing which is easy to manufacture and iscost-effective while addressing the drawbacks of prior art devices.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a first aid strip comprisinga strip of sterile, non-adherent gauze pad, a pouch, well, depression orhollow provided on one side of the gauze pad, which comes into contactwith the skin when applied over a wound or swelling and a strip ofadhesive tape attached to the other side of gauze pad for fixing thefirst aid strip on the skin.

In one embodiment of this invention at least two additional layers ofsterile non-adherent gauze pad strips, are fixed to the gauze pad, onsaid one side, over the existing gauze pad layer, which comes in contactwith the skin, a hole/window being provided in each of the twoadditional layers, to form said pouch, well, depression, or hollow.Instead of two additional layers, a single layer of appropriatethickness of gauze pad may be used instead, to achieve the same result.

The pouch, well, depression, or hollow has a shape conforming to theshape of the gauze pad and a depth of approximately 1.5-2.00 mm.

In a second embodiment of the invention, a ring of inert material isinterposed between the gauze pad and the additional layers of gauze padand sealed, creating a pouch.

In a third embodiment, a bulge is provided in said gauze pad andadhesive tape. The said bulge projecting outwardly from said other sideof the first aid strip.

In the fourth embodiment a ring made of an inert material is located ontop of the gauze pad strip, the outer border of the ring being flushwith the margins of the gauze pad strip, on the said other side of thefirst aid strip. The ring preferably has an approximate depth of:2.00-2.50 mm.

In the fifth embodiment a ring of inert material is attached to theadhesive tape, such that its inner margins surrounds the gauze padstrip, which is fixed to the adhesive tape. The shape of the ringconforms to the shape of the gauze pad strip. The ring has anapproximate depth of 2.00-2.50 mm.

The present invention also provides a method for the manufacture of afirst aid strip, comprising:

-   -   a) providing at least two layers of sterile non-adherent gauze        pad;    -   b) cutting a hole or window in each of said two layers from        around the, central area in a shape that conforms to the shape        of the gauze pad strip;    -   c) providing a strip of sterile non-adherent gauze pad with no        window or hole cut out, which is attached to a strip of adhesive        tape;    -   d) attaching the said two layers of gauze pad, with a window        created in it, over the said gauze pad strip with no window of        hole created in it, on the side of the gauze pad which comes in        contact with the skin, to which the adhesive tape of the first        aid strip is to be fixed, the said layers of gauze pad overlying        each other, and overlying gauze pad strip, on said one side of        said gauze pad strip; and    -   e) attaching a strip of adhesive tape to the other side of the        gauze pad strip;

In a variant, the method comprises the steps of:

-   -   a) providing a strip of sterile, non-adherent gauze pad;    -   b) placing a ring made of an inert material around said gauze        pad strip on the side of the gauze pad strip which comes in        contact with the skin; and    -   c) attaching a strip of adhesive tape on the other side of the        gauze pad strip to fix the ring on the gauze pad strip.

Another variant to the above methods for manufacturing a first aid stripcomprises the steps of: including a strip of sterile non-adherent gauzepad, over which a ring of rubber, latex, or cork is placed, on the sidewhich comes in contact with the skin, with its outer border flush withthe margins of the said strip of gauze pad, and a strip of adhesive tapeis fixed to the side of gauze pad strip not coming in contact with theskin.

In a further alternative, two layers of gauze pad strip are placed oneover the other, and a ring made of an inert material is interposedbetween the two layers and sealed, thereafter a strip of adhesive tapeis attached to one of the layers.

The present invention further provides a gauze hat or gauze cap,comprising a flat sterile gauze pad, with a pouch, well, depression, orhollow, provided on one side thereof. The well pouch, depression, hollowmaybe in the form of a window or hole, formed in at least two layers ofgauze pad attached to one of the sides of said gauze pad. This window orhole can be first made in the two layers of additional gauze. Then thelayers maybe placed on the flat gauze pad so that the window or holesare in alignment and form a pouch, well or depression or hollow on oneside of the gauze pad. Thereafter the flat gauze pad and the twoadditional layers are attached to one another.

In another embodiment, a ring made of inert material is interposed andsealed between the flat gauze pad and the additional layer of gauze pad.

In an alternative, the gauze hat or gauze cap comprises a flat gauzepad, and a ring of inert material such as cork, latex, rubber, attachedto one side of the flat gauze pad, to form said pouch, well, depression,or hollow. In this case the outer periphery of the ring will be flush,with the margins of the gauze pad.

In yet mother embodiment, a pouch is formed as a bulge in the flat gauzepad.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention are set forthin the detailed description herein or will be apparent to those skilledin the art upon reviewing the detailed description. Also, it should befurther appreciated that modifications and variations to thespecifically illustrated, referenced, and discussed steps, or featureshereof may be practiced in various uses and embodiments of thisinvention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, by virtueof the present reference thereto. Such variations may include, but arenot limited to, substitution of equivalent steps, referenced ordiscussed, and the functional, operational, or positional reversal ofvarious features, steps, parts, or the like. Still further, it is to beunderstood that different embodiments, as well as different presentlypreferred embodiments, of this invention may include variouscombinations or configurations of presently disclosed features orelements, or their equivalents (including combinations of features orparts or configurations thereof not expressly shown in the figures orstated in the detailed description).

Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the featuresand aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon review of theremainder of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling description of the present subject matter, includingthe best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, isset forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 Shows a first aid ship;

FIG. 2 Shows cross-sectional view of the first aid strip along sectionline, 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 Shows a tangential view, of one embodiment of the first aid stripaccording to present invention;

FIG. 4 Shows a cross-sectional view of the first aid strip along sectionline, 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 Shows an exploded view of the components of the first aid stripshown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 Shows a plain view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 Shows a cross-sectional view along section line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 Shows an exploded view of the components of the first aid stripshown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 Shows a tangential view of a third embodiment of the first aidstrip according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 Shows a cross sectional view along section line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 Shows tangential view of a fourth embodiment of the first aidstrip;

FIG. 12 Shows a cross-sectional view of the components of the first aidstrip along section line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 Shows an exploded view of the components of the first aid stripshown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14. Shows a tangential assembled view of a fifth embodiment of thefirst aid strip;

FIG. 15. Shows an cross-sectional view of the components of the firstaid strip along section line 15-15 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16. Shows an exploded view of the components of the first aid stripshown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 a Shows a side view of a sixth embodiment of the first aidstrip;

FIG. 17 b Shows a top view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 17 a; and

FIG. 17 c Shows a cross-sectional view of the components of the firstaid strip along section line 17 shown in FIG. 17 b.

Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specificationand appended drawings is intended to represent the same or analogousfeatures or elements of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to the embodiments of theinvention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used on another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, andaspects of the present invention are disclosed in or may be determinedfrom the following detailed description. Repeat use of referencecharacters is intended to represent same or analogous features, elementsor steps. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the artthat the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodimentsonly, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the presentinvention.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 though FIG. 5, the first aidstrip comprises an adhesive tape 20, a gauze pad strip attached to theadhesive tape (FIG. 1, FIG. 2), and an alternative embodiment furthercomprising two gauze pad layers 22, 23 (FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). The layers22, 23 each define a window or hole, to form a pouch above gauze padstrip 21 when placed over the gauze pad strip 21. As best seen in FIG. 4and FIG. 5, a plurality of pad layers are stacked, in alignment, oneabove the other over the gauze pad strip 21 to define a void/pouch/cup.

The windows are cut out, from around the central area of the gauze padlayer 22, 23. The pouch thus created has an approximate depth of1.5-2.00 mm. All the measurements are approximate and may be modified asneeded.

In the second embodiment shown in, FIG. 6 through FIG. 8, the first aidstrip comprises an adhesive tape 20 associated with a gauze strip 21(FIG. 7). Associated with a surface of gauze strip 21 is a ring 25. Alayer of gauze pad 24 is disposed over gauze strip 21 and ring 25thereby sealing ring 25 between gauze pad layer 21 and 24 so that itdoes not come in contact with the skin with the strip is associated witha wound.

For the presently preferred embodiment, ring 25 is an inert material,such as cork, rubber, or latex interposed and fixed between the gauzepad layer 21 and 24. The ring should preferably have a depth of 1.5-2.00mm. The dimensions of the ring 25 are less than the dimensions of thegauze pad. Additionally, the perimeter of ring 25 may define anypolygonal figure (including circles). As depicted in FIG. 6, theperimeter of adhesive tape 20 defines a rectangle. Similarly, theperimeter of gauze strip 21 defines a similar but smaller rectanglewhile ring 25 defines a similar but smaller rectangle than gauze strip21. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that ring 25 maydefine any polygonal figure including a circle without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the invention.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 9 though FIG. 10, the first aidstrip has an adhesive tape 20 associated with a gauze pad strip 21. Thetape 20 and gauze pad 21 are both extruded outwards to create a bulge.

Referring now to FIG. 11 through FIG. 13, a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention is presented. For the presently preferred embodiment,the first aid strip comprises an adhesive tape 20, a gauze pad strip 21attached to adhesive tape 20, and a ring 26 of inert material, likerubber, cork or latex attached to the gauze pad 21. The ring is placedover gauze pad 21 in such a way, that the outer edges of the ring 26 areflush with the edges of the gauze pad 21. For this embodiment, the ring26 comes in contact with the skin when to cover a wound. As describedabove, the external perimeters of the first aid strip components maydefine any polygonal figure and such figures may be similar or notsimilar.

Referring now to FIG. 14 though FIG. 16, a fifth embodiment of thepresent invention is presented. The first aid strip in this situationhas an adhesive tape 20, a gauze pad strip 21 attached to it, and a ring27 of inert material such as cork, rubber or latex also attached toadhesive tape 20. In this embodiment the ring 27 is placed in such away, that the inner borders of the ring surround the gauze pad strip 21.In such a situation, when the first aid strip is placed on a body, thering 27 comes into contact with the skin. The ring surface which comesin contact with the skin may also be provided with some adhesivecapability, so that it sticks to the skin. The ring 27 may have a depthof about 2.00-2.50 mm. During use, medicine can be put in the hollowcreated inside the ring, and the first aid strip can then be applied tothe skin.

This invention extends to gauze hats/gauze caps also. It has a pouch,well, hollow or pregnant dimple or depression. It can be used withdifferent wounds or skin conditions with an appropriate sized adhesivetape. The only difference to first aid hats/caps described above being,it does not come with its own adhesive tape. These gauze hats or gauzecaps can be manufactured in the same manner as herein before describedwith reference to first aid strip.

Referring now to FIG. 17 a, FIG. 17 b, and FIG. 17 c, anotheralternative embodiment of the invention is presented by combiningvarious aspects of the invention depicted in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, withthe invention depicted in FIG. 14, FIG. 15 and FIG. 16. For suchpresently preferred embodiment of the invention, the first aid strip hasan adhesive tape 20 associated with a gauze pad strip 21. Adhesive tape20 is one embodiment of a substrate comprising a first adhesivesubstrate surface and an opposing second substrate surface, wherein saidfirst adhesive substrate surface defines a substrate-geometric-figure (arectangle for the current embodiment) and wherein said first adhesivesubstrate surface and said opposing second substrate surface furtherdefine a substrate-bulge (13) extending a predefined distance away fromsaid first adhesive substrate surface.

Gauze pad strip 21 is one embodiment of a pad comprising a first padsurface and a second pad surface, wherein the distance between saidfirst pad surface and said second pad surface define a pad-thickness,and wherein said first pad surface defines a pad-geometric-figure thatis smaller than the substrate-geometric-figure, and wherein said firstpad surface and said second pad surface further define a pad-bulgeextending a predefined distance away from said first pad surface. Asdepicted in the FIG. 17 a-17 c, the pad 21 is disposed along tape sothat the pad-bulge is in alignment with the substrate-bulge.

It should be appreciated that bulges, pouches, and “holes” are examplesof a “cavity”. For the currently preferred embodiment, the tape 20 andgauze pad 21 are both extruded outwards to create a bulge (13) therebydefining a “cavity”. Additionally, the first pad surface is associatedwith said first adhesive substrate surface so that said pad-bulge is inalignment with said substrate-bulge and so as to define asubstrate-surface-border-region around said pad.

Ring 27 is disposed on tape 20 in such a way that the inner borders ofthe ring surround the gauze pad strip 21. Thus, ring 27 may comprise afirst ring surface and an opposing second ring surface, wherein thedistance between said first ring surface and said second ring surfacedefine a ring depth, and wherein said first ring surface defines aring-geometric-figure that is smaller than thesubstrate-geometric-figure but larger than the pad-geometric-figure sothat the first ring surface may be associated with saidsubstrate-surface-border-region thereby surrounding said pad 21.

As before, Ring 27 may be constructed from any suitable inert materialincluding cork, rubber, and latex.

It should be noted that for such embodiment, when the first aid strip isplaced on a body, the ring 27 comes into contact with the skin. The ringsurface which comes in contact with the skin may also be provided withsome adhesive capability, so that it sticks to the skin. The bulge (13)preferably has a depth of about 2.00-2.50 mm.

While the present subject matter has been described in detail withrespect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated thatthose skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of theforegoing may readily adapt the present technology for alterations to,variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, thescope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by wayof limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion ofsuch modifications, variations, and/or additions to the present subjectmatter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A first aid strip comprising: a substrate layercomprising a first adhesive substrate surface opposed by a secondsubstrate surface; a gauze layer comprising a first gauze surfaceopposed by a second non-adherent gauze surface; wherein said first gauzesurface is associated with said first adhesive substrate surface; agauze spacer comprising a first spacer surface opposed by a secondnon-adherent spacer surface, wherein said first and second surfaces forma parameter around a inner window thereby defining a spacer void; andwherein said first spacer surface is associated with said secondnon-adherent gauze surface so that said spacer void defines at leastpart of a pocket.
 2. A first aid strip as in claim 1, further comprisinga plurality of gauze spacers stacked on top of one another so that eachspacer void is in substantial alignment with each other thereby forminga spacer stack defining a spacer stack void wherein one end of saidspacer stack is associated with said second non-adherent spacer surfaceso that said spacer stack void is in substantial alignment with saidpocket thereby defining a deeper pocket and with the opposite end ofsaid spacer stack defining a non-adherent spacer stack surface.
 3. Afirst aid strip as in claim 1, wherein said pocket has a depth of about1.5 mm to about 2.0 mm.
 4. A first aid strip as in claim 1, furthercomprising a ring disposed and sealed between said first gauze surfaceand said first adhesive substrate surface.
 5. A first aid strip as inclaim 4, wherein said ring is an inert material.
 6. A first aid strip asin claim 5, wherein said ring is made of at least one material from thegroup of materials consisting of: cork; latex; and rubber.
 7. A firstaid strip as in claim 4, wherein the ring is about 2.0 to 2.5 mm wideand about 2.0 to 2.5 mm deep.
 8. A first aid strip as in claim 1,wherein the length of said gauze layer is about one-third the length ofsaid substrate layer.
 9. A first aid strip as in claim 8, wherein thewidth of said gauze layer is substantially the same width as thesubstrate layer.
 10. A first aid strip as in claim 9, wherein at leastone of said substrate layer and said gauze lawyer further define a bulgein substantial alignment with said spacer void.
 11. A first aid strip asin claim 10, wherein said bulge is about 2.0 mm to 2.5 mm deep.
 12. Amethod for the manufacture of first aid strip, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a gauze pad comprising a first gauze pad surface and anopposing second gauze pad surface; (b) providing a gauze ring having afirst ring surface and an opposing second ring surface wherein said ringdefines a void in the approximate center of said ring; (c) associatingsaid first ring surface to said first gauze pad surface thereby defininga gauze pad pocket; (d) providing a substrate comprising a firstsubstrate surface and a second adhesive substrate surface; and (e)associating said second adhesive substrate surface with one of (i) saidsecond gauze pad surface and (ii) said second ring surface.
 13. A methodfor the manufacture of first aid strip as claimed in claim 12, whereinthe outer border of the gauze ring is flush with the margins of gauzepad and wherein the gauze ring defines a square.
 14. A method for themanufacture of first aid strip as in claim 12, wherein the outer borderof said gauze ring defines a distance that is about the same as thedistance defined by the outer edge of said gauze pad.
 15. A bandage forcovering a wound, said bandage comprising: a substrate comprising afirst adhesive substrate surface and an opposing second substratesurface, wherein said first adhesive substrate surface defines asubstrate-geometric-figure; a pad comprising a first pad surface and asecond pad surface, wherein the distance between said first pad surfaceand said second pad surface define a pad-thickness, and wherein saidfirst pad surface defines a pad-geometric-figure that is smaller thanthe substrate-geometric-figure, and wherein said first pad surface isassociated with said first adhesive substrate surface so as to define asubstrate-surface-border-region around said pad; a ring having a firstring surface and a second ring surface, wherein the distance betweensaid first ring surface and said second ring surface defines a ringdepth, and wherein said first ring surface defines aring-geometric-figure that is smaller than thesubstrate-geometric-figure but larger than the pad-geometric-figure; andwherein said first ring surface is associated with saidsubstrate-surface-border-region so that said ring surrounds said pad.16. The bandage for covering a wound as in claim 15, wherein saidsubstrate-geometric-figure is a rectangle and said ring depth is betweenabout 2.00 mm and 2.50 mm.
 17. The bandage for covering a wound as inclaim 16, wherein the outer perimeter of said ring defines a rectangle.18. The bandage for covering a wound as in claim 16, wherein said paddefines a circle having a pad-diameter that is less than the width ofsaid substrate and wherein the outer perimeter of said ring defines acircle having a ring-diameter that is greater than said pad-diameter andless than the width of said substrate.
 19. The bandage for covering awound as in claim 15, wherein said first adhesive substrate surface andsaid opposing second substrate surface further define a substrate-bulgeextending a predefined distance away from said first adhesive substratesurface and wherein said first pad surface and said second pad surfacefurther define a pad-bulge extending a predefined distance away fromsaid first pad surface and wherein said first pad surface is associatedwith said first adhesive substrate surface so that said pad-bulge is inalignment with said substrate-bulge.
 20. The bandage for covering awound as in claim 19, wherein the depth of said pad-bulge is betweenabout 1.00 mm and 2.50 mm.